Automatic vending machine



Sept. Z6, 1961 K. J. BRADY ETAL 3,001,670

UTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE Filed March 14. 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 In ununuunn n x will. l

Il y g INVENTORS. KENNETH JOHN BRAD Y NE A L TOWNSEND wpd PATENTAGENT Sept. 26, 1961 K. J. BRADY Erm 3,001,670

AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE Filed March 14, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. KENNETH JOHN BRADY NEAL TOWNSEND PATENT AGENT Sept. 26, 1961 K. J. BRADY ErAL AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 14. 1957 PATE/vr AGE/vr United States Patent 3,001,670 AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHlNE Kenneth John Brady, 22236 Baywood Ave., Hayward, Cahf., and Neal Townsend, San Francisco, Calif.; said Townsend assignor to said Brady Filed Mar. 14, 1957, Ser. No. 646,050 4 Claims. (Cl. 221-116) The present invention relates to apparatus for dispensmg articles and more particularly to automatic vending machinesy for cigarettes or the like.

Vending machines for various articles and particularly for cigarettes and candy have come into wide use; most of these are now completely automatic in that to obtain a selected article, the purchaser need merely push a button to energize an electric dispensing mechanism which effects delivery of the selected article. Since a cigarette vending machine must contain a number of different brands to be commercially acceptable, a pluralityof dispensing mechanisms and associated storage chutes for the articles must be provided. Costs of the machines run high as a consequence.

It is a general object of the present invention to rel duce the cost of a vending machine without reducing its capacity by means of an overall simplification of design.

More particularly, it is a feature of the invention to reduce the number of expensive electro-mechanical elements in an automatic vending machine without destroying its fully automatic operation.

A further feature concerns the simplification of individual part design so that each part is adapted for mass production by automatic equipment wherefore the cost per element is lowered.

Another feature concerning the designof individual parts enables a single part, in many instances, to accomplish several functions formerly requiring a vcombination of several parts. Y

Simultaneously, the parts are designed to facilitate assembly operations whereby further cost reduction is effected.

In addition to the cost of the machine, the present invention is also directed toward the solution ofqproblems encountered in the use of any vending machine. It is observed, for example, that certain brands of cigarettesv are of greater popularity, which necessitates in known vending machines the utilization of several supply chutes or hoppers and associated vending mechanisms for a known brand of high popularity.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a sequential vending mechanism whereby the pushing of a single button will dispense an article in turn from one of a series of supply chutes containing articles of like nature (e.g., the same brand of cigarette). 'Ihis feature, it may be observed, will save the customer from the inconvenience of searching through a large number of buttons and the possibility of depressing a button associated with an emptied supply chute. Additionally, as will become apparent hereinafter, this feature effects further savings in the apparatus cost.

A further feature concerns the overall design of the vending machine whereby the loading of the articles is facilitated to an-extent such that labor costs are substantially reduced.

Another feature relates to the provision of a removable insert for the supply chutes whereby articles of variant dimensions can be loaded therein and dispensed therefrom.

Additionally, it is a feature to provide a machine wherein ready access to the operating mechanisms is provided wherefore mechanical servicing is facilitated.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from a perusal of the following descrip- 3,001,670 Patented Sept. 26, 1961 "ice tion of a preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a front elevational view of a cigarette vending machine which constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a agmentary perspective View of the machine illustrated in FIG. l, but with the ltwo dispensing units contained in the machine swung away from their normal upright positions, portions of the structure being broken away to illustrate interior details,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View through one of the dispensing units taken substantially along line 3 3 of FIG. 2 so as to illustrate the construction of the cigarette chutes and the disposition of the cigarette packages therein,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View through the lower end of a chute substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 illustrating details of the arrangement for releasing packages of cigarettes therefrom,

FIG. 5 is a sectonal view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of a sequential relay arrangement forming` part of the machine,

FIG. 7 is a. bottom plan view of the sequential relay structure, portions thereof broken away to illustrate interior details of construction, and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8 8 of FIG. 7.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the vending machine embodying the present invention includes a pair of dispensing units 10, 11 that are normally received in an upright position between two side panels 12, 13, as shown in FIG. l. Each of the dispensing units 10, 11 is adapted to contain a supply of cigarette packages and to discharge the packages upon suitable actuation of a vending mechanism housed within removable covers 14, 15 into a trough or pan 16 positioned thereunder. The entire machine can be suspended by suitable framework (not shown) from above or can be seated on a Suitable stand (not shown) so that the level of the pan 16 will be such that it is conveniently accessible to the purchaser. The side panels 12, 13 are rigidly joined at their centers by transverse frame members 17 which are disposed between the dispensing units when the latter are in their upright positions, as illustrated in FIG. l, and these transverse frame members 17 are joined at spaced points by braces 1S which extend substantially vertically.

To facilitate the loading of the two dispensing units 10, 11 with a fresh supply of cigarette packages, they are each supported on a transverse shaft 19 extending between the side panels 12, 13 adjacent the lower ends thereof and means are provided for eecting a swinging movement of the two dispensing units Vsimultaneously from their upright positions, as illustrated in FIG. l to an outwardly displaced, substantially horizontal position, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Such means for swinging the two dispensing units 10, 11 includes a pair of members arranged for vertical movement along the vertical braces 18 of the machine frame, previously described. These movable members constitute bars 20, 21, each having a sleeve 22 at each end in sliding engagement with a respec- Vtive one of those braces 18. At a point substantially intermediate their slidably supported ends, the two bars 20, 21 are respectively provided with lugs 23, 24 arranged to receive a rotatable, vertically disposed shaft 25. The upper lug 23 and the upper portion of the shaft 25 are each threaded so that upon rotation of the shaft 25, a force is exerted to move the lug 23 and the bar 20 vertically relative to the shaft. The lower end of the shaft is free for rotation within the lug 24 on the lower bar 21, but is held against axial movement therein by means of -a suitable collar 26. A small sprocket 2.7 is

mounted on the lowest end of the shaft 25 and this is connected by means of a suitable chain 28 to another sprocket 2? on the shaft of `a motor 30 supported on a bracket 31 rigidly attached to the lower bar '21. The motor 3i) is reversible and upon rotation thereof -in one direction, the two bars 2l?, 21 are caused to separate throngh rotation of the vertical Yshaft 25 While rotation of the motor 3G in the other direction will, of course, cause those bars to approach one another. displacement of the vertically movable bars 20, 21 is transmitted through like linkages positioned at spaced points Von those bars to the two dispensing 'units 10, 11. Each linkage connection between the bars 20,y 21 and one of the dispensing units 10, ll'includes'tw'o links 33, 34 which are `pivotally''connected to one anotherV at their ends. The other end of the 'r`st link 33 is pivotally connected'to the upper bar 20 while the second link 34 is pivotally connected at an intermediate point 'to' the lower bar 21. Thissecond link 34 is also Vpiv'otally"connec'ted. at its remote end to the rear face of the'o'ne dispensing unit', as indicated'at 35.

If `it yis desired to return the dispensing units` 10, 11v

Y from their lower position, illustrated rin FIG. 2, to their pivotally connected to the dispensing unit andthe "latter -is constricted to move onlyvaboutits transverse mounting shaft 19, thelower Y,bar 21 is also constrained to move upwardly, but at aiate :slower than that ofv the upper bar Zhso that relative displacement of the bars 20, 21

from onewanother constantly increases such lip-- wardmovement. t As theuupp'er 2Q Ymoves .upwardly t on the lframelbraces 13 andthe lower bar21 also'moves upwardly but at its slower rate, the lin-iks 53,34 gradually open into an aligned disposition andthe dispensing unitsv 10, 1,1 are pivoted about'their'mounting shafts 19 to ultimately cometora position ofrest between the side panels 1,2, 13. AYIn order yto assure that the 'dispensing units A 114 stop their swinging 4movements lto their upright positions at the proper tir-nega limit switch Y36. is disposed on the frame brace 18 in thepath of the oneunit 16 so as to open the motor circuitiwhen the dispensing units 10, 1 1 have hoth arrived4 at the desired upright position between the'side panels V12, 13. From such upright position, a mere energization of the motor 30 so as to cause the same to revolve in the opposite direction from that described, will effect a lowering of the two dispensing units 1t?, y11 simultaneously 4from their uprightY positions toward the lowered position illustrated in FIG. 2. A second limit switch 37 is supported on the vertical brace 18 adjacent the lower end thereof so as to be engaged by the sleeve 22 at the end of the lower barV 21 when the desired lowered position ofthe dispens-V ing units 1l), 11 is obtained so as to again open the motor circuit and preclude further `downward swinging of the dispensing units automatically.

Whenthe dispensing units 1t), 11 have'been moved-toy The relative Y 4 of inwardly projecting flanges 43, 44. The folded plates 41, 42 are mounted within the` dispensing unit so that the flanges 43, 44 are opposite one another and adjacent ilanges denne therebetween the chutes 40 of the desired dimensions. The cross-sectional dimensions of each chute 40 are equivalent to the cross-sectional dimensions of a conventional cigarette carton. Thus, in order to load a given chute 40, the end of cigarette carton may be'merely torn oft and the packages discharged directly from the carton into the chute to form a pair of side-by-sidc columns therein. Thus, the packages from an entire carton may be shoved simultaneously into the chute 40, y

and it is not necessary for the person loading the chute to individually insert a single package and then another and another in a time-consuming, tedious process.

^ Preferably, the cross-sectional dimensions of the chutes 40 are such that king-'size cigarette Vpackages may be inserted thereinto. However, so that standard size'cigarette packages `can also be accommodated 4and dispensed `from one or more of the chutes, a U-channel member, generally indicated at 46, of appropriate dimensions is longitudinally shoved Ainto aades'ired chute, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The base 47 ofthe U-channel 46, as shown best in FIG. 4, is disposed in spaced parallelism toV one face of the chute '40 so that standard size cigarette packages can be slidably accommodated. The sides .'48 of the U-channel V46 are formed of springy material so that when it 'is inserted, 'these sides frictionally engage the anges 43,44 dening the chute 40 and maintain the position of the inseitedU-channel. VThus insertion thereofor Vsubsequent removal "for accommodation of yking size packages is rendered Very simple.

After the chutes 40 have been loaded with packages of cigarettes, the two dispensing units 10, 11 aire returned totheir upright positions between the side panels 12, 13 of the machine preparatory to discharging their contents into the underlying pan 16.' The release of packages is under the control of a release means disposed within the mentioned cover 14'adja'cent the lower end of each column of packages within the chutes 40. Since two colof'package's within the chutes 40, .two release. means' will vbe, associated`with each chute.

Such release means is arranged to discharge asingle package into the pan'1f6'u`pon actuation and to preclude the discharge of 'another paokage'untill reactuiation has occurred. As shown in FIGS. 4'and v5,'the release means associated with each column of cigarette packages includes a control members() that is centrally pivoted adjacent one side ofthe column of cigarettes'in a chute 40 'at the lower end thereof. -InA its normal inoperative position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 4, the control member 50 is disposed so that a projecting portion 51 on the lower end thereof their lower position in the manner described and as illustrated in FIG. 2, cigarette packages may be inserted into a plurality of chutes 40 within each of the dispensing units 10, 11. lt will be understood of course, that one brand of "cigarettes will be placed `in one chute, while L Y nextpackage inthe column Within the chute140' land pre` is arranged tounderlie the lowermost package of cigarettes, as Vshown in phantom lines, so as to yblock the same against discharge from the lower end of the chute 40 into the pan 16. -From this normal, inoperativeposil tion, 'the controliniember 50 is arranged kfor movement about its pivot in -a connterclockwisedrection, as viewed in'FIG. 4, to the disposition illustrated in phantom lines wliere'at the lower projecting portion 51 is'withdrawn from its position underlyingthe lowermost package vso that the latter may be released to fall from the -chute 40 intorthe pan v16. Howevl, at the same time: thatthis lower projecting portion/51 is withdrawn lfrom its blocking position, the upper end of the control member, indicated at 52, is pivoted into a position underlying the cludes this latter package fromv falling into the space vacated by the discharged lowermost package. In moving-fromthedescribed inoperative position'to the operativepo'si-tion illustratedinphantom linesjthe central section 53 of thecohtrol1 member-50121150 propels' the'lowermostpekage nightly Sather the 'same warner merely fallbut will oe-'positively `ejected downwardly into/the S pan. To enable such ejection, the inserted channel member 46 is bent away at its lower end as indicated at 49.

In order to impart the desired movement to the control member 50, an actuating lever 55 is pivotally connected to the same at a point displaced from the pivotal support of the control member and is arranged to enter a slot in a slide, generally indicated at 57, that is moved by actuating means to be described hereinafter. Generally, the slide 57 is arranged to move substantially vertically on a metallic chassis 58 and is normally held in its lowermost position, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, by means of a spring 59 that is connected under tension between a projecting portion 60 of the slide 57 and a pin 61 rigidly attached to the aforementioned chassis 58. To precludethe control member 50 from being forced in a counterclockwise direction'from its inoperative to its operative position against the resiliency of the described spring, the actuating lever 55 connecting the control member 50 to the spring-urged slide 57 is also pivotally connected at an intermediate point to a link 62 which is in turn pivotally connected at its end remote :from the control member 50 to a pin 63 rigidly secured to the side of the chute 40. When-the lever 55 is in its lowermost position, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the pivotal connection between the lever and the link 62 is below a line extending from the pivot of the control member 50 to the stationary pin 63. Thus, when the lever 55 is in its `lowermost position, any force applied to the control member 50 to effect movement thereof in a counterclockvvise direction will merely urge the lever 55 against the stationary pin and thus positively preclude pivotal movement of the control member 50. On the other hand, if force is applied to the end of the lever 55 bythe slide 57 to urge the same into its upwardly disposed disposition, as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 4, the pivotal connection between the lever 55 and the link 62 will be displaced upwardly land the control member 50 will be moved into its operative position, as illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 4.

In order to actuate movement of the slide 57 and ultimately pivotal movement of the control member -from its inoperative to its operative position, a bar 65 projects through a second slot in the chassis 58 and a cutaway portion 67 of the slide 57 radially from a cylindrical plunger 68 which is mounted for axial and rotative movement. A solenoid 69 surrounds the upper end of the plunger 68 and upon energization thereof, effects upward movement of the plunger, as viewed in FIG. 4. Normally, the plunger 68 and the projecting bar 65 thereon are urged to the illustrated downward position by means of a coil spring 70 which is compressed between the bar 65 and the solenoid 69. When the solenoid 69 is energized, the plunger 68 and the bar 65 move upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 4, and the bar, in turn, engages the shoulder formed at the end of the cutaway portion 67 of the slide 57 to carry the latter upwardly therewith. In turn, such upward motion of the slide 57 eects pivotal displacement of the package-control member 50 from its inoperative position to an operative one. Subsequent deenergization of the solenoid 69 allows the coil spring 70 to urge the bar 65 downwardly, and the slide 57 is in turn urged to its downward position by the previously described tensioned coil spring 59 whereupon, ultimately, the control member 50 is returned to its inoperative position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 4.

In accordance with an additional aspect of the present invention, the described actuating means is arranged, upon iirst energization, to displace the release means associated with a single column of packages while, upon a second actuation, is arranged to actuate the other release means disposed in the same chute 40 but associated with the iadjoining column therein. By such alternative dispensing of a package iirst from one of the side-by-side columns and then the other, the supply of packages in the side-by-side columns is depleted at a uniform rate. Thus, after both columns in a chute l40 have been fully emptied, the supplycan be replenished in the manner pre-V viously -described wherein the side-by-side packages of cigarettes from a carton 'are discharged directly into the chute.

In order to accomplish such alternative dispensing of a package first from one column and then Ifrom another a given chute 40, the cutaway portions 67 on the adjoining slides 57 associated with the two columns are arranged in adjoining positions and the actuating bar 65 projecting from the plunger 68 is constrained to rotate slightly first to lthe right and then to the left upon repeated energizan'on of the solenoid 69. Thus, upon one stroke of the Vvplunger 68, the bar 65 will move within the cutaway portion 67 of one slide 57 to move that slide upwardly, while on the subsequent stroke of the plunger 68, the bar 65 will lie in au adjoining position within the cutaway portion 67 of the other slide 57, and will, upon movement, urge this slide upwardly. The rotative displacement of the actuating bar65 to the right or left cutaway slide portion 67 is eiected upon the return stroke of the plunger 68 by engagement of the bar with a director arm pivotally supported fromthe aforementioned pin 61 that projects upwardly from the chassis 5S, the position of the pin being midway of the Vtwo adjoining slides 57 and within the cutaway portions 67 thereof, as best shown in FIG. 5, If the director arm 75- is pivoted to the right as shown in FIG. 5, the return stroke of the plunger 68 under the urgency of the coil spring 70 will cause the bar 65, upon engagement with the one vface of the director arm 75, to move towards the left. Upon subsequent actuation of the plunger 68 by energization of the solenoid 69, the left slide 57 will be moved upwardly and effect release of a package from the associated column of cigarette packages.

In order to change the position of the director arm 75 so that upon subsequent return of the bar 65 it will be moved into position for actuation of the right slide 57 upon the next stroke, a cam follower 76 is attached to the director arm 75 and is arranged to engage similar cam surfaces 77 on the slides 57. As shown clearly in FIG. 5, this cam follower 76 takes the form of a curved strip which is centrally attached to the described director arm 75 and is bent downwardly at each of its extremities for engagement by the curved cam surfaces 77 ou the respective slides, such cam sur-face 77 being 4formed by the simple expedient of cutting away a portion of the slides, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 5. If the bar 55 projecting from the solenoid plunger 68 is positioned to the left, as shown in FIG. 5, actuation of the plunger 68 by the supply of current to the solenoid 69 will effect upward movement of the left slide 57. This slide movement will, of course, effect pivotal movement of the associated control member 50 to release a package from the left column within the chute 40 and will also engage the bent end of the cam follower 76 to cause the same to pivot about the pin 6l in a counterclookwise direction thereby bringing the director cam 76 to a position over the left slide 57. Now, when the solenoid 69 is again deenergized and the plunger 68 returns to its lowermost position, as viewed in FIG. 4, the projecting bar 65 will be carried against the one face of the director arm 75 and be urged to the right, as viewed in FIG. 5 so as to lodge within the cutaway portiou 6'7 of the right slide 57. The next energization of the solenoid 69 will, of course, now eifect the sliding lmovement of the right slide 57 and this will, in turn, cause the cam follower 76 and the director 75 to pivot in a clockwise direction wherefore the bar 65, upon its return, will engage the director Aarm and be urged into the left hand position, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Such alternative movement or" the bar 65 iirst to the left and then to the right upon repeated return from its operative position will continue and ias a consequence, a cigarette package will be dispensed rst from one of the side-byside columns in the chute 40 and then from the other.

It will be observed from the foregoing that each slide 7 57 actually accomplishes two functions; it Vtransmits motion to the control member 50 to eiect the release of a cigarette package, and it also determines the setting of the director arm 75. Thus Aa single part achieves two functions in theV machine It should be reemphasized that the slide y57 -is la part constituting a relatively simple stamping from Iilat, sheet stock. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper end of the slide 57 is slightl'y depressed and extended so that slidingl engagement with an open-ended slot 78 in the chassis 58 is enabled. yAdjacent the upper end of each slide, a portion isV displaced from the at sheet to project upwardly, andthe upper end thereof is formed into thedescribed portion 60 to enable the desired conneet-ion with the tensioned spring 59. Below such projecting `portion 60, the slide 57 is-cut away to form the' aforementioned camsurface `7'7, and below this it is cut away to provide the cutaway portion 67 into which the actuating bar 65 may project to `establish driving, operative engagement with the slide.

. Assembly and disassembly of the slide is also a relatively simple matter.l In order to remove a slide 57 from itsY illustrated position, it is merely necessary to disconnect the tensioned spring 59 from the projecting portion 69 then slide the same Yupwardly with the upper end passing outwardly through the open end of the slot 78 in the chassis 68 thereunder. The cam follower 77 can pivot Ifreely to the left to permit such displacement of the slide 57 completely from the unit. Assembly, of course, is Yaccomplished by a reversal of the described procedure. ToV facilitate such assembly or repair, when needed, the entire release means and the `actuating means therefor are mounted on the face of each of the dispensing units 10, l1 and are exposed by the simple removal of the mentioned cover 14, illustrated in FIGS. l Iand 4. After the cover has been removed, the entire chassis 58, which mounts both the package release means and the lactuating means therefor, can be removed from the dispensing unit and is readily accessible for whatever replacement or repair is necessary.

The solenoid 69 associated with each of the chutes 40 in the dispensing units 1G, 11 is energized by suitable connection to a conventional ll() volt A.C. source (not shown). However, Vin View of the aforementioned fact that certain brands or" cigarettes are more popular than others so that it may be desirable to have three chutes, for example, loaded with a single brand of cigarettes, the connection to such source is larranged through a sequential Arelay ygenerally indicated at 80 in FIG. 2. The use of such a relay, as will become more apparent from the detailed description to follow, enables a cigarette package Vof a popular brand loaded into three chutes, for example, to be dispensed from one chute then another then-the third and then a repeated sequential dispensing lfrom the' three chutes so that the supply in the three chutes again is uniformly depleted. The desired number of sequential relays 89 are mounted on the `side panels 12, 13 of the machine under therdescribed cover 15 as shown in FIG. 2 and the detailed structure of an individual relay 89 is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 `and 8.

rIhe wires from a number of the solenoids 69 forming parts of the described-actuating means Aare connected to a plurality of terminals 8l through 86 that are mounted in aligned relationship on an insulating plate 87 as shown clearly in FIG. 7. As shown'in FIG. 6, Aa bus bar 8S is arranged on a second insulating plate 89 Vthat is held in spaced*v relation to the Yiirst insulating plate 87 by means of--an intermediate third insulating plate 90. When the three plates S7, 89, 9b are secured together by means of suitable machine screws 91, the bus bar 88 is aligned with but'spaced from the plurality of terminals 81 through Y 86. A-ratchet 92 composed ofinsulating'material is disa small connector 93 which may take the form of a carbon brush that is adapted to establish connection between one or another of the terminals 81 through S6 and the bus bar 88 (see FIG. V8). The slidable ratchet "92 is normally urged to its lowermost position, as viewed in FIG. 7, by a coil spring v94 tensioned between a 4screw 95 projecting from the ratchet 92 and abar'96 firmly attached to the stationary insulating plate 89. From such lowermostv position, the Yslidable ratchet 92 is moved upwardly by engagement of a pawl 97 Ywith the ratchet teeth. This pawl 97 projects through `a. central cutaway portion in the plates 87, 89 from a plunger 98 mounted for axial and rotative displacement relative Vto an actuating solenoid 99. A coil sprin`g100, is' compressed between the pawl 97 and stationary housing ofthe solenoid 99 so as to normally urge the plunger 98 away from the solenoid and such spring is lalso placed under a predetermined rotative tension soV as to urge the plunger 98 and the pawl 97 thereon in a rotative direction such that Vthe pawl is constantly urged against the teeth of the ratchet 92. When the solenoid 99 is energized from a suitable `power source 191 by the depression of a button 102, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 6, the plunger 98' is drawn downwardly carrying the pawl 97 therewith. During such downward movement of the'pawl 97, it rides over the rear sloping face of the adjacent tooth pivoting against the action of the coil spring 100 and ultimately is urged by such coil spring into the next toothed recess of the ratchet 92. Upon subsequent deenergization 'of the solenoid 99, Vthe plunger 98 and therpawl 97 thereon move upwardly and the ratchet 92 is moved by the engagement of the pawl therewith. It will be vunderstood that the coil spring 160 that actuates the return movement of the plunger 98 is stronger than the coil spring 94 which tends to Vhold the ratchet 92 in its lowermost position. 'ihus the ratchet 92 can move upwardly against the action of the lattercoil spring 94.

The distance between adjoining teeth of the ratchet 92 is equivalent to that between adjacent individual terminals 81 through 86 so that a single actuation of the ratchet 92 by the pawl 97 will effect movement of the connector 93 carried by the ratchet 92 precisely from one terminal to the next. Thus, ultimately, upon each actuationV of the sequential relay 89 through depression of thebutton 102, ,connectionV is established between the A.C. source (not shown) connected to the bus bar 88 of the relay and one of the terminals S1 through 86, such connection rogressing sequentially from the lowermost terminal to the uppermost, as viewed in FIG. 7. After each successive upward displacement of the ratchet 92, a detent is posed between the two outer'plates 87, 89 within a cuturged by a leaf spring 156 into a position of insertion in the adjoining ratchet tooth to hold the same against downward displacement by action of the spring 94 during the period when the pawl 97 is moving and has released its operative engagement with a given tooth.

After the ratchet 92 has `reached its uppermost position, means are provided to remove both the detent 105 and the pawl 97 from operative engagement withv the ratchet so that the same can =be returned by the coil spring 94 to its lowermost position wherefore a renewed sequential connection with .the series of terminals 81 through 86 can be instigated in the described fashion. In order to effect such release, a release lever 197 is pivoted on the insulatedr plate 87. Such lever '107 is normally held in an inoperative position by a coil spring 108 tensioned between the lever yand a pin 169 on the plate 87 so as to urge the lever in a clockwise direction to the position indicated in FIG. 7. However, when the machine screw moves upwardly therewith to the vuppermost position, such screw comes into engagement with the release lever 107 to urge the same in a'counterclockwise direction against the action of the tensioned spring 108. When the solenoid 99iis now energized, thepawl 97 moves against the edge of the lever y107 pivoting outwardly Vuntil it lodgesin a notchdl at the outward end thereof. Upon Ya subsequent decnergization of the solenoid 99, the pawl 97 moves with the lever against the rear face of the described detent 105 to pivot the same against the action of the leaf spring 106 away from engagement with the adjacent tooth. Therefore, both the pawl 97 and detent 105 are displaced away from the ratchet 92 and the latter can return under the action of the tensioned coil spring 94 to its lowermost position. When the machine screw 95 is removed from engagement with the release lever 107, the latter is rotated by the coil spring 108 and releases the pawl 97. The sequential relay 80 is now ready for a repeated sequence of connections with the terminals 81 through 86.

Six terminals 81 through 86 are shown in the drawing but provision is made so that the sequential relay will operate sequentially on only a portion of those terminals. To enable such operation, the ratchet 92 is provided with a plurality of holes 112, as shown in FIG. 7, so that the machine screw 95 which actuated the release lever 107 can be positioned in any one of those holes 112. lf the machine screw 95 is moved from the lowermost hole to the one immediately thereabove, the release lever 107 will obviously be actuated one step sooner and only five terminals 81 through 85 will be included in the sequential operation. In the same fashion, if the screw 95 is moved -to the next hole 112, only four terminals 81 through 84 will be incorporated in the sequential series to which connection is made. Thus, a popular brand of cigarettes which normally require the actuation of the release means associated with tive chutes 40 can be adjusted to accommodate merely four chutes. Regardless of the number of chutes 40 containing a single brand of cigarettes, only one push button 102. is required as a consequence of the described sequential relay operation.

Various alterations and/ or modifications can obviously be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is to be considered as purely exemplary and not in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A vending machine which comprises a chute arranged to slidably encompass side-by-side laterally-contiguous columns of similar articles, means at the end of each column operative to release an article from such column in said chute, means operative to actuate individually said article-releasing means, and means lfor establishing operative connection of said `actuating means to one of said article-releasing means upon completion of actuation of another of said article-releasing means.

2. A vending machine which comprises a chute arranged to slidably encompass side-by-side columns of similar articles, means at the end of each column operative to release an article from such column in said chute, means operative to actuate individually said article-releasing means including a solenoid-actuated plunger arranged for axial and rotative displacement relative to said solenoid and having a radial projection thereon, and means for establishing operative connection of said actuating means to one of said article-releasing means upon completion of actuation of another of said article-releasing means including a director arm arranged to engage and rotatively displace said plunger projection in response to axial motion of said plunger in one direction, said director arm being movable to a predetermined position upon axial movement of said plunger the opposite direction.

3. A vending machine which comprises a chute arranged to slidably encompass side-by-side, laterally-contiguous columns of similar articles, means at the end of each column operative to release an iarticle from such column in said chute, means operative to actuate individually said article-releasing means, said actuating means consisting of a solenoid-actuated plunger, said plunger being arranged for axial and rotative displacement relative to said solenoid and having a radial projection thereon to effect operative engagement with said articlereleasing means, and means for establishing operative connection of said Aactuating means to one of said articlereleasing means upon completion of actuation of another of said yarticle-releasing means.

4. A vending machine vaccording to claim 3 wherein said connection-establishing means -includes a director arm arranged to engage and rotatively displace said plunger projection in response to axial motion of said plunger in one direction.

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